blows up

present tense third-person singular of blow up
1
2
as in explodes
to break open or into pieces usually because of internal pressure the building blew up because of a gas leak

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

3
as in shatters
to cause to break open or into pieces by or as if by an explosive blew up the biggest rocks and then cleared them away

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

4

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of blows up The compact vacuum even blows up air mattresses and compresses vacuum storage bags. Sian Babish, PEOPLE, 24 Oct. 2025 When a snowstorm blows up suddenly and socks in the entire area, Lester and Mike begin a search that soon expands with the aid of local neighbors and law enforcement. Matt Grobar, Deadline, 22 Oct. 2025 What's Daryl’s psyche like after that boat blows up, and how is that going to play out in season 4? Dalton Ross, Entertainment Weekly, 20 Oct. 2025 The new $106 million Nike man totally blows up a Titans run to start the game. Joe Nguyen, Denver Post, 7 Sep. 2025 But if this blows up in Utah’s face in two or three years … oy. David Aldridge, New York Times, 20 Aug. 2025 When Yung Felon’s identity is revealed, his music blows up with billions of streams, and new fans flock to support him despite his heinous crimes. Alphonse Pierre, Pitchfork, 15 Aug. 2025 This week, Cardi B has a message for the competition, Chance The Rapper comes full circle and Dijon blows up. Jason Lipshutz, Billboard, 15 Aug. 2025 Or if some out-of-towner blows up a factory with her stuff in it. David Fear, Rolling Stone, 14 Aug. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for blows up
Verb
  • After Paul causes a boating accident that kills a young woman, the family explodes.
    Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 24 Oct. 2025
  • The post also included a video showing aerial footage of a fast-moving boat at sea that suddenly explodes.
    Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 3 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Tessa Ia leads the series as Valeria Goldberg, a young woman in a Jewish-Mexican community who makes a mistake that shatters her world and forces her into a desperate fight to find her missing children.
    Allison DeGrushe, Entertainment Weekly, 17 Oct. 2025
  • In a small town like Harding, a crime involving local children of local families shatters the relatively placid and usually numb routines of daily life.
    Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Brother Dusk detonates explosives that shatter the cryonic chamber of Cleon clones, bodies raining down in blood and glass, before plucking a single embryo from the wreckage to bait Demerzel’s deepest programming.
    JP Mangalindan, Time, 12 Sep. 2025
  • Determined to finish the job, Dante detonates explosives on the dam itself.
    EW.com, EW.com, 24 Aug. 2025
Verb
  • As Richard tries to kill Carrie, Sigrid shoots him in the shoulder and Lo smashes him in the face with a piece of boating equipment.
    Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 10 Oct. 2025
  • As several women listen intently, Belushi, donning a toga, rips the guitar out of Bishop's hands and smashes it into a wall.
    Mark Gray, PEOPLE, 5 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • After Beijing announces that major Taiwan ports have been mined, sea traffic to Taiwan nosedives as shipping insurance rates soar.
    Charlie Campbell, Time, 23 Oct. 2025
  • Netflix announces new Kennedy family series One of America’s most famous families is getting the Netflix treatment.
    Alexandra Banner, CNN Money, 21 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • Farming them also drives desertification in Mongolia, where the dust blows high in June, polluting the air as far afield as America, and making workers ill.
    George Varga, San Diego Union-Tribune, 21 Oct. 2025
  • Some games, like ones against the Bears and Panthers, this team blows golden opportunities to get into the win column.
    Nick Harris, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 20 Oct. 2025
Verb
  • If the city demolishes the building, the costs will be assessed to the property owner.
    Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 30 Sep. 2025
Verb
  • There in the dark, a poem by my grandmother pops into my head.
    Rowan Jacobsen, Harpers Magazine, 24 Oct. 2025
  • The player must complete the dare inside when a balloon pops or claim their treat.
    Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 21 Oct. 2025

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Cite this Entry

“Blows up.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/blows%20up. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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